February 6, 2026
Memorial of Saint Paul Miki and
Companions, Martyrs
Lectionary: 327
Reading
I
Like the choice
fat of the sacred offerings,
so was
David in Israel.
He made sport of lions as though they were kids,
and of
bears, like lambs of the flock.
As a youth he slew the giant
and
wiped out the people’s disgrace,
When his hand let fly the slingstone
that
crushed the pride of Goliath.
Since he called upon the Most High God,
who
gave strength to his right arm
To defeat the skilled warrior
and
raise up the might of his people,
Therefore the women sang his praises,
and
ascribed to him tens of thousands
and
praised him when they blessed the Lord.
When he assumed the royal crown, he battled
and
subdued the enemy on every side.
He destroyed the hostile Philistines
and
shattered their power till our own day.
With his every deed he offered thanks
to God
Most High, in words of praise.
With his whole being he loved his Maker
and
daily had his praises sung;
He set
singers before the altar and by their voices
he
made sweet melodies,
He added beauty to the feasts
and
solemnized the seasons of each year
So that when the Holy Name was praised,
before
daybreak the sanctuary would resound.
The Lord forgave him his sins
and
exalted his strength forever;
He conferred on him the rights of royalty
and
established his throne in Israel.
Responsorial
Psalm
R. (see
47b) Blessed be God my salvation!
God’s way is unerring,
the
promise of the LORD is fire-tried;
he is a
shield to all who take refuge in him.
R. Blessed be God my salvation!
The LORD live! And blessed be my Rock!
Extolled
be God my savior.
Therefore will I proclaim you, O LORD, among the nations,
and I
will sing praise to your name.
R. Blessed be God my
salvation!
You who gave great victories to your king
and
showed kindness to your anointed,
to
David and his posterity forever.
R. Blessed be God my
salvation!
Alleluia
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart,
and yield a harvest through perseverance.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
King Herod heard
about Jesus, for his fame had become widespread,
and people were saying,
“John the Baptist has been raised from the dead;
that is why mighty powers are at work in him.”
Others were saying, “He is Elijah”;
still others, “He is a prophet like any of the prophets.”
But when Herod learned of it, he said,
“It is John whom I beheaded. He has been raised up.”
Herod was the one who had John arrested and bound in prison
on account of Herodias,
the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married.
John had said to Herod,
“It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”
Herodias harbored a grudge against him
and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so.
Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man,
and kept him in custody.
When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed,
yet he liked to listen to him.
Herodias had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday,
gave a banquet for his courtiers, his military officers,
and the leading men of Galilee.
His own daughter came in and performed a dance
that delighted Herod and his guests.
The king said to the girl,
“Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you.”
He even swore many things to her,
“I will grant you whatever you ask of me,
even to half of my kingdom.”
She went out and said to her mother,
“What shall I ask for?”
Her mother replied, “The head of John the Baptist.”
The girl hurried back to the king’s presence and made her request,
“I want you to give me at once on a platter
the head of John the Baptist.”
The king was deeply distressed,
but because of his oaths and the guests
he did not wish to break his word to her.
So he promptly dispatched an executioner
with orders to bring back his head.
He went off and beheaded him in the prison.
He brought in the head on a platter
and gave it to the girl.
The girl in turn gave it to her mother.
When his disciples heard about it,
they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020626.cfm
Commentary on Sirach
47:2-11
Today we have our final reading about David. It comes from
the poetic and apocryphal Book of Sirach (also known as Ecclesiasticus), which
contains a lengthy section (chaps 44-50) praising the great figures of Israel’s
history. Here we have Sirach’s eulogy of David which in poetic language recalls
the highlights of his life.
David was a person set apart, in the way that in a sacrifice
the fat is set apart from the rest of the flesh offering. From his youth, he
stood out:
He played with lions as though they were young goats
and with bears as though they were lambs of the flock.
He was still a boy when he took on the Philistine giant,
Goliath, and brought him down with one shot from his sling, thus relieving his
people of their shame. Because of this he won the enthusiastic support of the
people:
So they glorified him for the tens of thousands.
This is in contrast to Saul who, they said, only killed his
thousands.
He was regularly victorious against their enemy, the
Philistines and “crushed their power” (or “horn” in some translations).
At the same time, he constantly gave glory and praise to his
Lord. David is famous in the Old Testament as a maker and performer of music.
The Psalms have been attributed to him although, of course, he could not have
written them all as their composition extends over a long period of time.
He created liturgies so that feasts could be celebrated with
fitting splendour:
…while [the people] praised God’s holy
name
and the sanctuary resounded from early morning.
The deeply sinful parts of his life are summed up in one
short sentence:
The Lord took away his sins
and exalted his power forever;
he [the Lord] gave him a covenant of kingship
and a glorious throne in Israel.
It is right to concentrate on a person’s virtues and
achievements and especially their relationship with God and their fellow-men.
That is what Sirach does here.
Unfortunately, the words of Mark Antony about Caesar in
Shakespeare’s play are often too true:
“The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft
interred with their bones.”
But a Latin saying is more to be followed:
De mortuis nil nisi bonum.
This translates as:
“Say nothing but good about those who have died.”
Yet, what makes many of the saints, saints, is precisely how
sin was turned to good in their lives. We can think of Paul, Augustine and
Ignatius Loyola, among the many others.
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Commentary on Mark
6:14-29
Jesus was now becoming well known over a wide area. There
was much speculation as to who he was (a major theme of Mark’s Gospel). Some
were suggesting that he was John the Baptist (who had by this time been
executed) come to life again, or that he was the prophet Elijah, who was
expected to return just before the coming of the Messiah, or that he was a
prophet in his own right, “like one of the prophets of old”. We know, of
course, that all those speculations were wrong. The true answer will emerge
very soon.
King Herod, steeped in superstition and full of fear and
guilt, was convinced that Jesus was a re-incarnation of John the Baptist, whom
he had beheaded. Today’s Gospel now gives us the story as to how this happened.
Herod Antipas, also known as Herod the Tetrarch, was the son
of Herod the Great, who was king when Jesus was born. When the older Herod
died, his kingdom was divided among his three surviving sons. Archelaus
received half of the territory, Herod Antipas became ruler of Galilee and
Perea, while Philip (Herod Boethus) became the ruler of the northern territory
on the east side of the Jordan. The title ‘Tetrarch’ indicates that he was
ruler of one quarter of the whole territory.
It is clear that Herod had great respect for John, as he
would also have for Jesus later on. The problem arose because John had
denounced Herod’s taking the wife (Herodias) of his half-brother Herod Boethus.
This was in clear violation of Jewish law. The historian Josephus also says
that Herod feared that John, so popular with the people, might instigate a riot
against him.
It was this woman, Herodias, who now wanted to be rid of
John, but could not do so because of Herod Antipas’ respect for him. Herod had
gone as far as arresting John, but even when John was in prison, Herod loved to
listen to him, despite being puzzled by John’s preaching.
Herodias saw her opportunity when Herod threw a party for
his court to celebrate his birthday. She knew her husband’s weaknesses.
Herodias’s daughter was brought in to dance and utterly captivated Herod. Deep
in his cups, he made a rash promise. He would give her anything, even half of
the territory he governed. Under the prompting of the mother, the girl makes
the gruesome request for John’s head on a dish.
Herod was aghast, but because of his oath in the presence of
his guests, he dared not renege on his promise. John was beheaded, and the head
given to the mother. Afterwards, John’s disciples came and took his body and
gave him a decent burial.
We might notice some similarities between this story and the
passion of Jesus. Both Herod and Pilate recognised in John and Jesus,
respectively, people of obvious goodness of life, wisdom and integrity. The
hatred of Herodias for John parallels the hatred of the Jewish leaders for
Jesus—in both situations the ‘haters’ called for execution by the ruler (Herod
in one case, Pilate in the other). After the deaths of John and Jesus,
disciples asked and received permission for a decent burial.
John is the precursor of Jesus, not only in announcing the
coming of Jesus, but also in giving his life for the integrity of his beliefs
and in bringing God’s message to the people. We are called to do the same.
Preparing the way for Jesus and his message must become an integral part of
every Christian’s life. Without our cooperation, without our going ahead of
Jesus, his message will not be heard.
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https://livingspace.sacredspace.ie/o2046g/
Friday,
February 6, 2026
Ordinary Time
Opening Prayer
Lord our God, help
us to love you with all our hearts and to love all men as you love them. We ask
this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and
the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Gospel Reading - Mark 6: 14-29
King Herod had heard about
him, since by now his name was well known. Some were saying, 'John the Baptist
has risen from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.'
Others said, 'He is Elijah,' others again, 'He is a prophet, like the prophets
we used to have.' But when Herod heard this, he said, 'It is John whose head I
cut off; he has risen from the dead.'
Now it was this same Herod
who had sent to have John arrested and had had him chained up in prison because
of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife whom he had married. For John had told
Herod, 'It is against the law for you to have your brother's wife.'
As for Herodias, she was
furious with him and wanted to kill him, but she was not able to do so, because
Herod was in awe of John, knowing him to be a good and upright man, and gave
him his protection. When he had heard him speak, he was greatly perplexed, and
yet he liked to listen to him.
An opportunity came on Herod's
birthday when he gave a banquet for the nobles of his court, for his army
officers and for the leading figures in Galilee.
When the daughter of this
same Herodias came in and danced, she delighted Herod and his guests; so the
king said to the girl, 'Ask me anything you like and I will give it you.' And
he swore her an oath, 'I will give you anything you ask, even half my kingdom.'
She went out and said to
her mother, 'What shall I ask for?' She replied, 'The head of John the
Baptist.' The girl at once rushed back to the king and made her request, 'I
want you to give me John the Baptist's head, immediately, on a dish.' The king
was deeply distressed but, thinking of the oaths he had sworn and of his
guests, he was reluctant to break his word to her. At once the king sent one of
the bodyguards with orders to bring John's head.
The man went off and beheaded him in
the prison; then he brought the head on a dish and gave it to the girl, and the
girl gave it to her mother.
When John's disciples heard about this, they came and took
his body and laid it in a tomb.
Reflection
The Gospel today describes
how John the Baptist was victim of the corruption and of the arrogance of the
Government of Herod. He died without being judged by a tribunal, in the course
of a banquet given by Herod with the great men of the kingdom. The text gives
much information about the time of the life of Jesus and on the way in which
the powerful of the time exercised power. From the beginning of the Gospel of
Mark we perceive or see a situation of suspense. He had said: “After John had
been arrested, Jesus went into Galilee proclaiming the Gospel of God!” (Mk 1:
14). In today’s Gospel, almost suddenly, we know that Herod had already killed
John the Baptist. Therefore, the reader asks himself: “What will he do now with
Jesus? Will he suffer the same destiny? Rather than drawing up a balance of the
opinions of the people and of Herod on Jesus, Mark asks another question: “Who
is Jesus?” This last question grows throughout the Gospel until it receives the
definitive response from the centurion at the foot of the Cross: “Truly, this
man was the Son of God!” (Mk 15:
39)
•
Mark 6: 14-16. Who is Jesus? The text begins
with a balance on the opinions of the people and of Herod on Jesus. Some associated
Jesus to John the Baptist and to Elijah. Others identified him with a Prophet,
that is, with someone who spoke in the name of God, who had the courage to
denounce the injustices of the powerful and who knew how to animate the hope of
the little ones. Persons tried to understand Jesus starting from the things
that they themselves knew, believed, and hoped. They tried to make him fit into
familiar criteria of the Old Testament with its prophecies and its hopes, and
of the Tradition of the Ancient, with their laws. But these criteria were not
sufficient. Jesus could not fit in those criteria. He was much greater!
•
Mark 6: 17-20. The cause for the killing of
John. Galilee, the land of Jesus, was governed by Herod Antipas, the son of
King Herod, the Great, from the year 4 BC up to the year 39 after Christ. In
all, 43 years! During the whole lifetime of Jesus, there had been no changes in
the government of Galilee! Herod Antipas was the absolute Lord of everything;
he listened to no one and did whatever he pleased! But the one, who really
commanded in Palestine, from the year 63 BC, was the Roman Empire. Herod, in
order not to be removed from office, tried to please Rome in everything. He
insisted above all, in an efficient administration which would provide income
for the Roman Empire. The only thing that concerned or worried him was his
security and promotion. This is why he repressed any type of subversion. Falvio
Giuseppe, a writer of that time, says that the reason for the
imprisonment of John the
Baptist was the fear that Herod had of a popular revolt. Herod liked to be
called benefactor of the people, but in reality he was a tyrant (Lk 22: 25).
The denouncement of John against him (Mk 6: 18), was the drop which filled up
the cup, and John was thrown into prison.
•
Mark 6: 21-29: The plot of the murdering. The
anniversary and the banquet of the feast, with dancing and orgies! This was an
environment in which the alliances were plotted. To the feast attended and were
present “the great of the court, the officials and important persons from
Galilee.” In this environment the murdering of John the Baptist was plotted.
John, the prophet, was a living denouncement in this corrupt system. This is
why he was eliminated under the pretext of a problem of personal vengeance. All
this reveals the moral weakness of Herod. So much power accumulated in the
hands of a man who did not control himself!
Under the enthusiasm of the feast and of the wine, Herod
swore lightly to give something to the young dancer. And superstitious as he
was, he thought that he had to maintain his oath. For Herod, the life of his
subjects counted nothing had no value. He used them as he wanted and decided
what to do with them just as he decided where to place the chairs in his house.
Mark gives an account of how things happened and lets the community draw the
conclusions.
Personal Questions
•
Do you know the case of persons who have died
victims of corruption and of the dominion of the powerful? And do you know
persons in our community and in our Church victims of authoritarianism and of
an excess of power?
•
Herod, the powerful who thought to be the owner
of life and death of the people, was a great superstitious person, and feared
John the Baptist. He was a coward before the great, a corrupt man before the
girl. Superstition, cowardice, and corruption distinguished the exercise of the
power of Herod. Compare this with the religious and civil power today in the
various levels of society and of the Church.
Concluding Prayer
This God, his way is blameless;
the word of Yahweh is refined in the furnace, for
he alone is the shield of all who take refuge in him. (Ps 18: 30)
Saints
Paul Miki and his Companions, Martyrs
Paul Miki, born into a rich family, was the son of a
Japanese military leader. He was born at Tounucumada, Japan and educated at the
Jesuit college of Anziquiama. He joined the Jesuits in 1580, and became known
for his eloquent preaching.
The authorities, fearing the Jesuits’ influence, made them
an object of persecution. Miki was jailed along with other Christians. He and
his Christian companions were forced to walk about 1,000 km (600 miles) from
Kyoto as a punishment for the whole community. On the way they sang the Te
Deum, the Church’s hymn of praise and thanksgiving. Finally they arrived at
Nagasaki, the city which had the most conversions to Christianity.
Paul, still a Jesuit scholastic (i.e. a Jesuit in training)
and aged 35, was crucified on 5-February 1597, along with 25 other Catholics.
He preached his last sermon from the cross and it is maintained that, like his
Master, he forgave his executioners, stating that he himself was a Japanese.
Together with him died Santiago Kisai, also a Jesuit
scholastic, and Diego Kisai (or Kizayemon), a Jesuit brother, in addition to 22
priests and lay people. This took place during the persecution of Christians
under the Taiko, Toyotomi Hideyoshi—who ruled Japan in the name of the emperor.
Among the Japanese who died were: Francis, a carpenter who
was arrested while watching the executions and then crucified; Gabriel, the
19-year-old son of the Franciscans’ doorkeeper; Leo Kinuya, a 28-year-old
carpenter from Miyako; Joachim Sakakibara, a cook for the Franciscans at Osaka;
Peter Sukejiro, sent by a Jesuit priest to help the prisoners, and who was
himself arrested; and Cosmas Takeya from Owari, who had preached in Osaka. Also
killed was Ventura from Miyako, who had been baptized by the Jesuits, but had
given up his faith on the death of his father. He subsequently became a
Buddhist monk, but was then brought back to the Church by Franciscans.
All were canonized as the Martyrs of Japan by Pope Pius IX
in 1862.
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